Sink held in place by biting retaining fingers



G. A. LYON, JR 3,071,780 sINx HELD 1N PLACE BY BITING RETAINING FINGERS Filed Dec. 27. 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet l IUI/*E n 227.2-7 G50/eff ya/v, de.

Jan. 8, 1963 G. A. LYON, JR. 3,071,780

SINK HELD I N PLACE BY BITING RETAINING FINGERS Filed Dec. 27, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 frg. 7

iria 5 70 /60 Jam 8, 1963 G. A. LYON, JR- 3,071,730

SINK HELD IN PLACE BY BITING RETAINING FINGERS Filed Dec. 27, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 BY C@ l? %NEYS Patented Jan. 8, 1963 3,071,7se SINK HELD IN PLACE BY BITING RETAINING FINGERS George A. Lyon, Jr., Birmingham, Mich. (13881 W. Chicago Blvd., Detroit Z8, Mich.) Filed Dec. 27, 1960, Ser. No. 78,770 Claims. (Cl. 4-187) The present application is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 635,842 filed January 23, 1957 and now abandoned.

The present invention relates to sink structures and more particularly to new and improved means for mounting and retaining sinks in place with respect to supporting means such as a countertop, and the like.

Heretofore, the principal commercial mode of fastening sink bowls in place with respect to a supporting member such as a counter top has been by means of a large number of brackets, clamps, clips and the like, held in place by some sort of fastening means, screws being generally used, fastened from beneath the counter top after the sink bowl has been inserted in a suitable opening in the counter top. Such installation has been time consuming and expensive in view of high labor costs, and oftentimes has been distinctly inconvenient where lack of working space is encountered.

The most desirable arrangement, of course, is one wherein all installation manipulations and actions can take place from above, that is from above the counter top, and more particularly downwardly from above into the opening in the counter top or provided by a sink cabinet or counter section in a kitchen or lavatory construction and without any need yfor getting in under the counter top or under the sink bowl or supporting iiange structure for the sink bowl to effect securement of retaining means.

Accordingly an important object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved sink structure including a sink bowl and supporting means, wherein the sink bowl is adapted readily and with minimum labor expenditure to be assembled from above by placing it into an opening receptive thereof in a counter top and the like and merely pressing downwardly on the sink bowl rim or retaining means for the sink bowl rim.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a sink retaining means which is readily adapted for disassembling the sink when necessary.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sink structure wherein biting fingers are utilized to retain a sink bowl in place in a countertop.

Still another object of the invention is to provide new and improved means for securing a sink bowl in place in a manner to afford a neat and sanitary substantially tight joint relation with respect to a counter top.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide retaining nger means for enabling easy press-in retaining engagement of a sink or a molding frame ring sink retaining structure.

A still further object of the invention is to provide new and improved sink retaining means including biting retaining fingers and means associated therewith enabling ready release of the retaining means when it is desired to remove the sink from its mounting.

According to general features of the invention, there is provided a sink structure including a supporting counter having an opening defined by a peripheral wall and a sink member including a bowl portion telescoped in said opening and provided at its upper end with an outwardly turned supporting fiange having an outer marginal portion resting upon the supporting counter about said opening, said peripheral wall of the opening having a substantially straight vertical metal surface, and separately formed and attached resilient spring retaining fingers carried by the sink member, said retaining fingers including attachment leg portions secured to the sink member substantially spaced from said outer marginal portion of the supporting flange and thereby leaving said marginal portion free for engagement upon the counter, said retaining fingers also having terminal legs angled from said attaehrnent legs and located opposite said vertical metal surface and extending in inclined relation upwardly and having biting tips in biting engagement with said metal surface to retain the sink member against upward displacement relative to said supporting counter, said fingers being resiliently flexible and enabling by their inclination free downward assembly movement of the sink bowl into the opening but by their biting tip engagement with the metal surface automatically effecting said biting engagement against upward ldisplacement of the sink member and maintaining said outer marginal portion under resilient tension with respect to the engaged supporting counter.

According to other features of the invention there is provided a sink structure including a supporting counter having an opening defined by a peripheral wall and a sink member including a bowl portion telescoped in said opening and provided at its upper end with an outwardly turned supporting rim flange, said peripheral wall of the opening having a substantially straight vertical metal surface and supporting means on which said rim flange is engaged by inserting the sink member through the opening until the rim fianges engage said rim means, and separately formed retaining means engaging against the counter top and against the top of said rim flange and carrying resilient spring retaining fingers, said retaining fingers including leg portions extending downwardly past the edge of said rim flange, said retaining fingers also having terminal legs angled Vfrom said downwardly eX- tending legs and located opposite said metal surface and extending in inclined relation upwardly and having biting tips in biting engagement with said metal surface to retain the retaining means and thereby the sink member against upward displacement relative to said counter, said fingers being resiliently flexible and enabling by their inclination free downward assembly movement of the retaining means into engagement with the sink rirn fiange but by their biting tip engagement with the metal surface automatically effecting said biting engagement against upward displacement of the retaining means.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the fol-l lowing idetailed description of certain preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a top plan view of a sink structure embodying features of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmental transverse verf tical sectional detail view taken substantially on the line II-II of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of 'the retaining finger structure shown in FIGURE 2;

v ture embodying features of the invention;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional detail view taken substantially on the line VIII-VIII of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional detail View similar to FIGURE 8 but disclosing how the retaining means for the sink 3 can be readily displaced and disengaged for removing the sink;

FIGURE is an exploded fragmentary detail view showing the principal components of the sink retaining means in pictorial illustration;

FIGURE 11 is a vertical sectional detail View similar .to FIGURE 8 but showing another slight modification;

FIGURE 12 is a sectional vdetail view similar to FIG- URES 8 and 1l but showing a yet further modilication;

FIGURE 13 is a vertical sectional `detail view similar to FIGURE 8 but showing adaptation of the invention to a retaining structure including a molding frame ring to secure a liat rim sink in place; and

FIGURE 14 is a sectional detail View similar to FIG- URE 13 but showing the parts in process of being assembled.

In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIG- URES 1 and 2, a sink structure 1l!L is disclosed including a suitable support in the form of a counter top 11 having a sink 12 mounted thereon.

The counter structure 11 may have a wood base 13 supporting a layer of plastic or Formica or similar hard surfaced material 14 upon the top surface thereof. EX- tending vertically from fthe top surface of the counter structure 11 is an upstanding or raised edge portion 15 which may comprise a metal strip or the like for the purpose of containing liquids and the like upon the plastic top layer 14.

The wood section 13 and the plastic upper layer 14 has an opening 16 through which the sink bowl structure 12 may be telescopingly mounted on the counter structure 11. Inside of the opening is an annular L-shaped preferably metal bracket liange strip 17 which is held in place by screws 17a. The bracket is provided with an annular shorter leg 18 in abutting engagement upon the top surface of the upper layer 14.

The sink 12 is here shown as including a bowl portion 19 telescoped through the opening 16 on the inside of the annular flange 17. The bowl structure including the bowl portion 19 may be made from stainless steel or other suitable material. The upper end of the bowl portion 19 is turned outwardly to provide an outer marginal rim iiange bowl supporting portion Ztl which rests on top of the leg 18 of the flange 17, The portion Ztl has an annular downwardly turned terminal leg 21 in tight abutting, sealing engagement against the upper layer 14 of the counter 11. Thus, the sink 12 is of the type known in the trade as a self-rimming sink because it has the rim flange 2t) directly supporting the sink on the counter top as distinguished from the type of sink often referred to as a liat rim sink which has a rim flange of smaller overall size or diameter than the counter top opening and is supported by separately formed retaining ring or other structure.

Interposed between the sink bowl 19 and the metal liange 17 is a resiliently deliectable strip of spring fingers 22 which are here shown as being welded at 23 to the sink as, for example, to the bowl portion 19. It will be appreciated the spring lingers may be arranged in strips, broken or unbroken bands, or as individual lingers as is desired.

As will be noted in FIGURE 1, the sink bowl 19 is provided with an outlet 19a and the counter portion 11 is provided with a manually operated hot and cold water discharge nozzle overlying the outlet 19a. Although the sink bowl 19 is shown as a single bowl, for simplicity in illustration, it will be appreciated that it may if preferred comprise a double bowl sink, and instead of being generally rectangular may be round or any other preferred shape.

To assemble the sink structure 12 with the counter structure 11, the bowl portion 19 is initially aligned with respect to the opening 16, assuming of course that the L- shaped flange 17 has been previously installed. Thereafter the resiliently deiiectable fingers 22 will automatically center the bowl portion 19 with respect to the liange 17 and upon the exertion of a vertically downward force against the turned marginal portion 20, such as by means of striking a rubber hammer and the like against the marginal portion 20, the sink structure may be caused to move downwardly into snug telescoped overlying engagement with respect to the annular liange 17. It is in this manner 'that the terminal 21 of the outwardly turned margin Ztl is brought into tight engagement with the plastic top layer 14 to preclude food particles and lluids from entering underneath the marginal portion 20.

By the present construction, each of the fingers 22 includes a relatively long attachment leg 23 and a returnbent resiliently dellectable terminal leg 24 having an edge in edgewise biting tensioned engagement with the metal iiange 17. The metal to metal contact between the fingers 22 and the flange 17 permits tbe fingers to be placed and held under considerable tension to thereby pull the terminal leg 21 into tight abutting engagement with the top 14. As will be noted in FlG. 2, the resiliently deliectable terminal leg 24 extends generally horizontally outwardly and inclined upwardly generally at right angles to the plane of the terminal flange 21.

In FIGURES 4 and 5 is shown a modified form of my inventori; however, where identical elements reappear, the same reference numerals had been again applied.

The principal dilerence between the structure shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 is that resilent spring lingers are mounted on indvidual strips or segments 33 and are screwed by means of screws 33a directly into the wood supporting portion 13 to hold attachment leg 34 flushed against the wood portion 13. Short return bent resiliently -deliectable linger terminal 35 of the linger 21 in this case extends generally inclined downwardly and inwardly so that when the sink bowl structure 12 is installed in the opening i6 it is centered by means of the lingers 33 and placed under resilient tension to cause the marginal sink `bowl portion 2li .to be drawn into lirm tight engagement vwith the top 14, where it is held by biting of the tips of the linger terminals 35 against the opposed wall of the sink bowl 19, to prevent fluids and the like from entering therebeneath.

In FIGURE 6 is shown a further modilied form of my invention and in this instance it will be noted that wood screws 46 are utilized to secure an aluminum strip or ring 41 to the wood base 13 at the opening 16.

Also here provided is a modified sink bowl structure 42 which includes an annular vertical side wall 43. The side wall 43 is provided with an annular dished portion 44 generally at the open end of the sink bow 42. This dished portion 44 includes an annular rib 45 which together define an annular rest for supporting a cutting yboard and the like. Extending outwardly and downwardly from the dished portion 44 is an outer terminal marginal portion 46, which is adapted to engage in abutting relation with respect to the plastic counter top 14.

Welded at 47 to the underside of the marginal portion 46 is an annular retaining ring 48. The retaining ring is generally U-shaped and includes spaced legs 49 and 50. The leg 49 is formed so as to nestingly engage with the underside of the side wall 43, the rib 45, the dished p0rtion 44, and the outer terminal marginal portion 46.

The other leg 50 is notched out at circumferentially spaced intervals to provide a series of resiliently deliectable fingers or teeth 51. Each of the lingers or teeth is disposed at an inclned angle relative to the aluminum band 41 and has an edge 52 for edgewise biting engagement thereagainst. The biting action between the lingers 51 and the band 41 is augmented in View of the fact the band 41 is made of aluminum. The reason for this is that aluminum is soft and permits ythe edges 52 to more readily bite and grip with respect to the band surface.

In this instance, when the sink bowl structure 12 is in position with respect to the counter structure 11, the outer tip of the outer terminal marginal portion 46 is bottomed upon the plastic top 14 with the sink bowl structure otherwise being clear of the counter top structure. The only other engagement is between the fingers 51 and the aluminum band 41 which is carried by the counter top structure 11. It is in this manner that most of the weight o-f the sink structure 12 is concentrated at the outer margin of the sink bowl structure. By virtue of the tight engagement between the outer marginal portion 46 and the plastic top 14 foreign substances are more readily prevented from entering underneath the sink bowl structure. It will be appreciated that the prevention of water seepage underneath the margin of the sink is very important for otherwise the utility of the cabinet area beneath the sink structure is impaired. Furthermore, rotting food particles present la health menace.

The construction and relationship of the annular retaining ring 48 with respect to the generally outer margin of the sink bowl structure is believed to be highly advantageous. This is especially true since the ring 48 serves to reinforce the areas of the sink bowl which are subjected to great stress when a substantial portion of the weigh-t of the sink bowl structure is concentrated at a very limited *area at the outer margin of the sink bowl structure. Furthermore, the elongatedrleg 49 and the base of the U serve -to provide a substantal back-up for the resiliently deflectable teeth -1 thereby permitting the sink bowl structure to be removed and replaced with respect to the counter structure 11 without damage to the teeth 51. By the present construction, the teeth or ngers 52 extend generally towards the area of' engagement between the terminal portion 46 and the counter top 14 thereby tending to draw the tip of the outer terminal portion 46 into very snug engagement together.

It will be observed that in each of the forms of the invention as best seen in FIGURES 2, 4 and 6 the vertical leg portion of the retaining finger structure is backed up against `a fairly solid and at least strongly resistant to deflection in a horizontal direction, and this is a desirable feature to assure -a firm tensioned wedging coaotion of the angled retaining fingers between the solidly backed up vertical leg land the metal surface with which the tips of the fingers are in biting cont-act. This eliminates tendency toward spring-back, that is, tendency of the -comparatively thin and thus inherently resiliently flexible material of the vertical legs of the finger structures to yield away from the bitingly eng-aged surface under the retaining biting thrust of the fingers against such surface. In these forms of the invention, however, although functionally sound fairly close tolerances in size of counter top opening relative to outside dimensions or diameter of sink bowl -must be main-tained in order to assure proper wedging, compression and tensioning of the retaining fingers to maintain the biting retaining engagement of the tips of the angular legs of the fingers against the bitingly engaged surface. Careful and reasonably accurate workmanship on the part of persons installing the sinks is therefore prerequisite as to these forms of the invention.

Often, however, in spite of accurate installation instructions, hole cutting templates, and the like, inexpert or careless workmanship may result in oversize tolerances and thus imperfect gripping by the retaining fingers, requiring adjustments and shimming out of the biting surface strips or plates attached to the counter top opening edges or of the retaining finger strips or sections where they are attached tothe counter top edge.

Actually, of course, the only portions of the vertical legs of the retaining finger structures requiring back-up to assure wedging tensioned engagement of the retaining finger diagonal legs is that portion immediately adjacent to the juncture of the diagonal legs with the vertical legs. Having this in mind, the forms of the invention shown in FIGURES 7-l4, attain all of the beneficial effects and advantages of the drop-in and press-in installation of sinks from above the counter top while at the same time affording a substantial tolerance range -with respect to size of opening relative to size of sink bowl.

Having reference first to FiGURES 7-10, a sink installation 6d is shown including a counter top 61 provided with a nailable lbody of wood or the like and provided with a suitable opening 62 receptive in clearance relation of a sink bowl 63 having on its upper end a lateral outwardly projecting rim flange `64 designed to project into overlying relation to the counter top 61 about the opening 62. In a desirable form, the self-rimming sink rim ange 64 has the outer marginal portion thereof arched slightly outwardly and sloping generally downwardly and outwardly to a sealing edge 65 which contacts the upper face of the counter top. Between the outer terminal marginal portion of the sink rim flange 64 and the vertical wall of the sink bowl 63 is a downwardly dished reinforcing rib and drainback portion 67 which in the assembly of the sink with the counter top, as best seen in FIG. 8, overlies the gap or space between the edge defining the counter top opening 62 and the vertical wall of the sink bowl 63.

In this form of the invention, the sink installation 60 is provided with biting retaining finger structure in the form of a retaining finger strip 68 which may be in a section of any preferred length and constructed and arranged to extend downwardly from the rim flange 64 and in this instance from the indented or dished rib portion 67 theref of lwithin the gap between the countertop edge and the sink bowl 63. Along its upper margin, the finger strip 68 is provided with an angular flange 69* nestably engaging the underside of the rim flange rib 67 and secured permanently thereto by suitable means such as a plastic bonding agent, brazing, welding 70 and the like. By having the strip 68 of a length which extends along substantially the entire straight length of each of the sides of the sink rim flange 64, additional reinforcement for the rim flange is afforded by the retaining finger strip.

From the attachment flange 69, the body of the strip 68 extends downwardly and has on its lower margin a longitudinally spaced series of retaining finger extensions including downwardly projecting respective legs 71 and upwardly and in this instance outwardly angled oblique retaining finger leg flanges 72 terminating in upwardly and outwardly projecting respective edges 73 which are l preferably of slightly arcuately recessed shape between biting corner spurs 74. In a desirable construction, the retaining finger strips -68 may be made from spring steel or from suitable thin gauge half hard stainless steel strip possessed of suitable resilient stiffness.

Means are provided for receiving and backing up the retaining finger extensions 71 while the biting edge tip spurs 74 retainingly positively engage a metal surface maintained in a fixed orientation relative to the counter top. Accordingly, a channel-shaped metal strip 75 is provided which has a wall or leg 77 engaging the edge defining the counter to-p opening 62 and provided with suitable apertures 78 longitudinally therealong` through which retaining fasteners such as nails 79 are driven to secure the strip 75 fixedly in place against the counter top edge. For properly orienting the retainer strip 75 along the counter top edge and in respect to the upper surface of the counter top, an angular outwardly projecting seating or gauging flange 80 is provided along the upper edge of the strip flange leg 77- Thereby, in installing the retaining strip 75, the attachment flange 77 thereof is backed against the edge defining the counter top opening 62 with the gauging flange 80 resting on the upper marginal surface of the counter top and the flange strip is then secured in place by means of the fasteners 79.

70 Extending inwardly from the lower margin of the vertical 'i' the backs of the linger extensions 71 in the assembly. In order to facilitate assembling the finger extensions into the retaining channel strip 75, the flange 82 is provided with an upwardly and inwardly turned lead-in cam formation 33, economically comprising a longitudinally spaced series of arcuately shaped ear extensions rather than a solid or continuous flange.

In order to facilitate removal of the sink should that become desirable for any reason, while nevertheless maintaining a positive retaining relationship between the retaining lingers '71, '72 and the retaining channel strip bracket structure 75, releasable metal surface means are provided for biting engagement by the finger flanges 72. For this purpose, a metal strip S4 is provided providing a suitable generally vertical surface bitingly engageaole by the tips of the retaining flanges. At its lower edge the strip 84 rests on the retaining bracket strip web with a lower extremity outwardly and upwardly projecting narrow spacer flange 35 clearing the bend fillet at juncture of the attachment flange 7'7 and the body web Sl and bearing against the attachment flange 77. Along its upper margin, the strip 84 has an utwardly turned terminal flange S7, generally counterpart to the spaced flange S5 and engaging the attachment flange 77 at the lower side of an inwardly projecting interlock rib S8 at juncture of the attachment flange 77 and the gauging flange 0 and defined on its lower side by a downwardly and outwardlyI sloping cam surface 89. The spacing between the inwardly facing surface of the releasable strip 84 and the opposing inner face of the back-up flange 82 is predetermined to be slightly less than the normal projection distance between the biting tip spurs 74 and the backs of the retaining fingers 71. As a result, when the retaining fingers 7l are pressed down between the back-up flange 82 and the surface strip 84, the retaining finger terminal biting flanges 72 are resiliently slightly deflected and com'- pressed toward the bodies of the fingers 71 and are thus placed under resilient tension and are wedged into positive biting retaining engagement of the prongs 74 with the opposed surface of the strip 84. This coaction also wedges the edges of the retaining strip flanges 85 and 87 against the attachment flange 77 and maintains a positive interlocked relationship of the edge of the flange 87 with the underside of the interlock rib 8S preventing vibrations or lifting forces on the sink 63 from dislodging the retaining or anchor strip $4.

In effecting assembly of the sink 63 with the counter top 61, the retaining bracket strip or strips are first secured to the counter top edge within the opening 62, which can be accomplished by access from above the counter top. Then the anchor strip or strips 84 are dropping into position within the channel of the retaining bracket strip 7S. Means such as suitable bent up tabs 90 may be provided on the retaining strip web S1 to retain the anchor strip upright in each instance. Then the sink 63 is dropped into the opening 62 until the retaining linger terminal flanges 72 engage at their terminal end portions against the cani-in surface afforded by the curved upper flange 37 of the associated anchor strip 84, or until the lower ends of the retaining lingers 71 engage upon the cam-in surfaces provided by the cam-in flange ears S3. Further downward movement of the sink thus results in centering of the sink and self-alignrnent effected by the camming-in of the retaining finger strip 68. Then as resistance is encountered to further downward movement due to the compression of the stiflly resilient retaining linger flanges 72, downward tapping of the rim flange 64 by means of a rubber mallet or a hammer striking against a drive-in block causes the retaining lingers to be forced downwardly to the extent that a desirable tensioned downwardly drawn engagement of the rim flange 64 against the counter top and firm sealing tightjoint engagement of the rim flange edge 65 is accomplished. Since the lingers 71 are firmly backed against the back-up flange S2 and the finger flanges 72 are wedged into positive biting engagement with the anchor strip 84, and the anchor strip is positively held by the interlock rib 83 against upward displacement, positive retention of the sink rim flange 64 against upward displacement is the resuit of the assembling action described.

Since on occasion it may be desirable to remove the sink 63 for some reason, such as replacement or for plumbing reasons, means are provided for releasing the anchor strip 84 by the application of a suitable tool. For this purpose, the retaining bracket channel strip 75 is provided at suitable intervals with knock-out holes 91 underlying the lower edge of the anchor strip 84 so that a knock-out punch 92 (FlG. 9) can be applied from below against the lower edge of the anchor strip to drive the anchor strip upwardly and caml the edge of the anchor strip S7 past the interlock rib 88. Inasmuch as the biting edges or spurs of the linger flanges 72 are iirmly bitingly engaged with the anchor strip, and the backs of the lingers 7l and the back-up flange 82 are in sliding fit engagement, as the anchor strip S4 is displaced upwardly on releasing the same by means of the driveout tool 92, the retaining fingers follow upwardly with the anchor strip until full release is effected as shown in FlG. 9 wherein the retaining fingers are fully released from within the retaining bracket channel strip 75.

in the modificaion of FIGURE ll substantially the same construction in a sink structure 60 is provided as in the form of FEGURES 7-l0 and to the extent that there is substantial identity of parts primed identical reference numerals have been applied in FlGURE 1l and it will be understood that the same description therefore applies to this form. In FIGURE ll, however, the retaining bracket channel strip 75 has on the attachment flange 77 an interlock rib or nib protrusions 93 properly spaced above the web 3l for interlocking engagement with the edge of the lower spacer flange This affords a very positive interlock especially since the edge of the spacer flange 85 is below the horizontal plane of imposition of thrust force from the retaining linger flanges '72' against the anchor plate S4. Nevertheless, when it is desired to release the retaining lingers, a knock-out tool applied through the aperture 91 against the lower edge of the anchor strip 8d will cause the edge of the spacer flange S5 to cam up on the rounded lower side of the interlock projection 93 and then snap thereby, resilient flexibility of the resilient retaining linger terminal flanges 72 enabling the slight compression resilient inward flexing thereof relative to the solidly backed up linger extensions 71 until the anchor plate flange portion 85' has snapped over and clear of the interlock projection.

In the modification of FIGURE l2 a sink assembly 95 is shown including a counter top 97 having a sink receiving opening 98 within which is mounted a sink member having a bowl 99 on the upper end of which is an outwardly projecting self-rimming rim flange 100 having an edge 101 for engaging the upper surface of the counter top sealingly and from which the rim flange arches upwardly and inwardly to a depressed, dished run-back juncture rib 102 where the rim flange joins the sink bowl. In this instance, the retaining means for the sink includes a retaining finger arrangement desirably comprising a retaining finger strip 103 made from resliently flexible metal sheet or strip stock having resilient characteristics and having an upper marginal flange 104 nested against and secured to the underside of the rim flange rib portion 102 spaced substantially inwardly from the rim flange edge 101. Suitable securing means such as welding 105 permanently fastens the flange 104 to the rim flange. From the flange 104 the body flange of the strip 103 projects downwardly in the gap between the edge of the counter top defining the opening 98.

In this form of the invention, the construction and relationship of the sink retaining means including the retaining ringer strip 103, is such that a separate releas able anchor strip is not needed. To this end, the nger strip 103 is so disposed that in the assembly the downwardly projecting body portion thereof and finger extensions 107 along its lower margin are disposed adjacent to the edge of the counter top defining the opening 98, with retaining finger terminal flanges 108 bent up from the lower ends of the fingers 107 extending diagonally upwardly and inwardly rather than outwardly as is the case with the previously desired retaining finger terminal flanges 72. Through this arrangement, the retaining fingers are engageable directly with opposed walls provided by retaining bracket channel structure 109 which may be in the form of suitable strip including a vertical body flange portion110 arranged to engage in face-to-face relation with the edge of the counter top and secured thereto as by means of nails 111. On its upper margin the body flange portion 110 is provided with an out turned seating gauge flange 112 to rest upon the upper side of the margin of the counter top about the opening 9S. On its lower margin, the body flange 110 has an inturned flange 113 which is of substantial width but narrower than the extent of inward projection of the retaining finger terminal flanges 108. Removably attached to the flange 113 is an upwardly projecting strip flange member 114 having along its lower margin an attachment flange 115 which is disposed in assembly in overlapping relation with the flange 113 and releasably secured thereto as by means of screws 117. Attachment of the upstanding flange member 114 to the memberr110 is such as to provide between the opposing faces thereof within the channel defined thereby, a space which is slightly less than the normal distance between edges 118 and more particularly biting spur points 119 on the tips of the retaining finger terminal flanges 108 and the outer sides of the fingers 107 backed up against the body flange 110. Thereby, on pressing the retaining fingers 107 downwardly within the channel defined between the retainer member flanges 110 and 114, the retaining linger terminal flanges 108 are compressively wedged between the channel wall surfaces by the fingers 107 being backed up against the flange 110 and the terminal edge biting points 119 thrusting and biting into the opposed surface of the flange portion 114. A cam-in ear or lip structure 120 is provided on the upper margin of the upstanding flange portion 114 to facilitate camming-in of Vthe retaining finger terminal flanges 108 during assembly of the sink with the counter top.

Should it become desirable to' remove the sink 99 from the counter top 97, the screws 117 can readily be removed Ifrom their securing relationship to the overlapping flanges 113 and 115 so that the flange member 114 is detached or at least sufliciently loosened relative to the companion retaining member 110 to release the biting engagement of the finger terminals 108 with the member 114 so that the sink can be lifted out ofthe counter top. On the other hand, assembly of the retaining structure 109 is effected readily with the counter top from above the opening 98 with the members 110 and 114 of the retaining structure 109 rigidly connected together, so that assembly of the sink 99 with the counter top 97 is also readily effected from above the counter top by dropping the sink into the opening 98 and effecting centering and orientation of the fingers 107, 108 with the upwardly opening channel defined by the structure 109 and then forcing of the retaining terminals 108 into position manually and if necessary additional tapping downwardly on the rim flange 100 until a positively tensioned engagement of the rim flange edge 101 with the counter top is attained all around.

FIGURES 13 and 14 illustrate a sink structure 125 wherein a sink member 127 having a flat outwardly projecting horizontal rim flange 128 is supported and retained in relation to a counter top 129 having a sink opening 130 therein larger than the maximum extent of the edge of the rim flange 128 so that a substantial gap is present between the sink rim edge and Vthe edge defining the counter top opening 130. To this end, sink retaining means 131 are provided which embody the same principles of biting retaining finger retention exemplified in the other forms of the invention described as applied to a self-rimming type sink.

In the retaining structure 131, a channel-shaped bracket strip 132 hasl a' vertical flange portion 133 abutting the edge of the counter top defining the opening and secured thereto as by means of nails 134, an upper marginal out turned seating and gauging flange 135 of the vertical flange 133 engaging the upper surface of the margin of the counter top. Extending inwardly from the lower margin of the flange 133 is a web flange 137 of suitable width having extending upwardly therefrom a flange portion 138 terminating in upwardly and inwardly turned cam-in upper marginal flange means 139. In this instance, the upper ends or terminal tips of the upper marginal flanges 139 serve as .a seat upon which the rim flange 128 is supportingly lengaged. Through this arrangement, after the channel member or members 132 have been secured to the counter top, and accurately gauged for proper horizontal `alignment of the edges of the terminal portions 139 by virtue of the opposite marginal gauging flange 135 resting on the counter top, the sink member 127 is placed in position by inserting it into the counter top opening 130 downwardly from the upper side of the counter top until the rim flange 128 rests upon the channel member terminals 139.

Thereafter, or just prior to mounting the sink 127 in the counter top opening, the channel member or bracket 132 is supplied with an anchor strip 140 which may be the same as the anchor strip 84 previously described, having a vertical extent such that a lower outwardly and upwardly turned spacer flange 141 engages the inner face of the channel member flange 133 above the juncture fillet between such flange and the web flange 137. At its upper margin the anchor strip has an out-turned spacer and cam flange 142 which engages at the underside of an interlock rib 143 having an underside cam-in flange surface 144. Bent-up tabs 145 on the web flange 137 serve as alignment retainers for the anchor strip or plate 140 in the initial assembly so that it will be held in gap relation tothe upstanding inner flange 138.

Finally, a molding frame retainer strip 147 is pressed into position from above to hold the sink rim flange 12S down against the terminals 139. To this end, the molding frame ring strip frame member 147 comprises a generally arcuate body having an outer edge 148 which engages sealingly with the counter top 129, and an inner edge 149 which engages against the upper surface of the rim flange 128. Extending downwardly from the inner margin of the body of the retaining ring member 147 is a retaining flange 150 which in the present instance is secured integrally in one piece with the body of the mem'- ber 147 by a return-bent reinforcing flange 151. The retaining flange 150 is of a length to project downwardly past the edge of the sink rim flange 128 to disposelower marginal retaining finger extensions 152 in backed up engagement with the upstanding inner bracket flange A138, so that upwardly and outwardly angled retaining finger terminal flanges 153 will be wedged between the back-up flange 138 and the opposing surface of the anchor strip 140. In this relationship, the terminal edges 154 of the terminal flanges 153 and more particularly biting corner spurs 155 thereon will effect wedging biting resiliently thrusting engagement against the opposing surface of the anchor strip 140. It will be understood, of course, that the space between the back-up flange 138 and the anchor strip 140 is predetermined with respect to the normal projection of the retaining finger terminal flanges 153 to assure a compressed wedging interengagement of the finger terminals 153 when engaged into the channel bracket 132 by downward assembly of the frame strip ring member 147 as indicated in FIGURE 14. By tapping the ring member 147 downwardly the respective outer and inner edges 148 and 149 are driven into firm sealing en- 1l gagement with the counter top and the rim flange, respectively. This sealing tensioned engagement of the ring member 147 with the opposing surfaces of the counter top and the rim flange is positively maintained by the wedging biting engagement of the retaining finger terminals 153 and the anchor strip 144B which is interlocked in position by the interlock rib 143. In this connection, it will be understood that if preferred, interlock rib or protrusion means such as that shown at 93 in FIG. ll may be utilized in the form of FIGURES 13 and 14. lf it is desired to release the retaining frame strip 147, a knock-out tool is adapted to be applied to the lower edge of the anchor strip 140 through respective openings 157 thereunder in the web flange 137.

In all forms of the present invention it will be apparent that the biting retaining finger retention positively holds the sink rim structure down sealingly against the counter top whether that be a self-rimming sink rim iiange or a molding frame strip which serves, in effect, as an extension from the rim iiange. Further, the retaining finger structure serves to maintain the sink bowl reasonably centered with respect to the counter top opening and while substantially precluding horizontal lateral displacement of the sink in the assembly, does afford a certain degree of resilient adjustment movement of the sink relative to the counter top without any major displacement. This is advantageous to accommodate temperature differentials, slight plumbing imposed stresses, and the like.

Another feature of advantage throughout all forms of the invention resides in that the retaining finger structure is economically made from strip stock, and in the forms of the invention shown in FlGURES 7 through 14, all of the flange and channel components are similarly adapted to be constructed as rolled or otherwise shaped strip stock sections. Moreover, in respect to the forms of the invention in FIGURES 7 through 14, substantial tolerance with respect to oversize or undersize formation of the counter top opening relative to the sink bowl can be accommodated because the downwardly extending retaining finger flange in each instance is capable of some swinging fiexing displacement to accommodate such tolerances. That is, should the opening be a little undersize so that the gap clearance between the edge of the counter top and the sink bowl is slightly reduced from optimum, the finger strip can fiex slightly inwardly on being assembled with the counter top-attached components of the retaining assembly. Should the hole be somewhat oversize, the retaining finger strips can accommodate themselves thereto by slight outward flexing movement in association with the other retaining components. This is possible because the wedging coaction between the retaining finger terminal flanges and the back-up and bitingly engaged opposed surfaces is effective irrespective of a reasonable range of iiexure adaptation of the finger-carrying strip.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a sink structure including a supporting counter having an opening defined by a peripheral wall and a sink member including a bowl portion telescoped in said opening and provided at its upper end with an outwardly turned supporting flange having an outer marginal portion resting upon the supporting counter about said opening, said peripheral wall of the opening having a substantially straight Vertical metal surface, and separately formed and attached resilient spring retaining fingers carried by the sink member, said retaining fingers including attachment leg portions secured to the sink member substantially spaced from said outer marginal portion of the supporting flange and thereby leaving said marginal portion free for engagement upon the counter, said retaining fingers aiso having terminal legs angled from said attachment legs and located opposite said vertical metal surface and extending in inclined relation upwardly and having biting tips in biting engagement with said metal surface to retain the sink member against upward displacement relative to said supporting counter, said fingers being resiliently flexible and enabling by their inclination free downward assembly movement of the sink bowl into the opening but by their biting tip engagement with the metal surface automatically effecting said biting engagement against upward displacement of the sink member and maintaining said outer marginal portion under resilient tension with respect to the engaged supporting counter.

2. A sink structure as defined in claim l, wherein each of the fingers extends from an attachment leg secured in nested engagement with the underside of the rim fiange but nevertheless substantially spaced from the outer marginal portion of the supporting flange.

3. ln a sink structure including a counter top providing a sink receiving opening defined by a vertical wall and a sink member having a bowl telescoped into said opening and provided on its upper end with an outwardly extending rim fiange having an outer marginal portion resting upon the counter top about the opening, and means retaining the sink member against upward displacement relative to the counter top including a member in strip form permanently generally nestably secured reinforcingly to the underside of the rim fiange but spaced substantially inwardly from said outer marginal portion so as to leave said outer marginal portion free for direct sealing engage` ment with the counter top, said strip having projecting downwardly therefrom a portion carrying resiliently fiexible retaining fingers extending in inclined relation upwardly and outwardly and having biting tips retainingly engaging against said vertical wall of the counter top opening and thereby maintaining said outer marginal portion under resilient tension with respect to the engaged counter top and retaining the sink member against upward displacement relative to the counter top,

4. in a sink structure including a flat supporting counter having an opening defined by a peripheral wall and a metal sink member including a bowl telescoped into said opening and having a laterally projecting rim flange on its upper end resting upon the margin of the fiat supporting counter about said opening, said bowl being spaced inwardly of said peripheral wall defining said opening, resilient retaining fingers, and means securing said fingers to said peripheral wall of the counter outwardly of said bowl, said fingers having respective portions thereof extending in downwardly and inwardly inclined relation, said portions having biting tips spaced from and resilient and movable with respect to said peripheral wall and retainingly bitingly engaging an opposed metal portion of Y the metal sink member in self-adjusted relation and thereby resisting upward displacement of the sink member relative to the counter.

5. in a sink structure including a supporting counter having an opening defined by a peripheral wall and a sink member including a bowl portion telescoped in said opening and provided at its upper end with an outwardly turned supporting rim flange, said peripheral wall of the opening having mounted thereon a sink retaining structure including a selectively yremovable portion affording a substantially straight vertical metal surface and in addition to said portion, supporting means on which said rim flange is engaged by inserting the sink member through the opening d until the rim flange engages said supporting means, and

separately formed retaining means engaging against the counter top and against the top of said rim flange and carrying resilient spring retaining fingers, said retaining fingers including leg portions extending downwardly past the edge of said rim flange, said retaining fingers also having terminal legs angled from said downwardly extending legs and located opposite said metal surface and extending in inclined relation upwardly and having biting tips in biting engagement with said metal surface to retain the retaining means and thereby the sink member against upward displacement relative to said counter, said fingers being resiliently flexible and enabling by their inclination free downward assembly movement of the retaining means into engagement with the sink rim flange but by their biting tip engagement with the metal surface automatically effecting said biting engagement against upward displacement of the retaining means, selective removal of said retaining structure portion enabling release of said retaining means.

6. In a sink structure including a counter top having an opening therein defined by an edge receptive of driveable fasteners, means including a portion engaging against said edge and providing a metallic surface extending in up and down direction, fasteners driven into said counter top edge and securing said portionthereagainst, a sink member having a bowl received in said opening and a lateral outwardly projecting rim flange supported against downward displacement relative to said counter top, and means for holding the rim flange against upward displacement relative to the counter top comprising biting retaining finger means including upwardly inclined biting nger portions having at an upper end biting tips engaging said metal surface and at the lower end portions retained against horizontal displacement whereby the biting finger portions are held in wedged biting engagement with said metal surface and thereby strongly resist upward displacement of the sink rim flange relative to the counter top.

7. In a construction wherein a generally horizontally disposed supporting structure has an opening therein and a member is supported within said opening and includes a laterally outwardly projecting rimflange resting on said structure about said opening,said structure having on the edge thereof about said opening an upwardly opening channel with opposed 'spaced' surfaces, said rim flange having a downwardly projecting retaining finger structure backed up against one of said surfaces and having an upwardly angled terminal flange wedged at its tip in retaining relation against the other of said surfaces and thereby holding the rim flange against upward displacement relative to said supporting structure, saidfother of said surfaces comprising a releasable plate normally lockingly retained in said channel.

8. In a construction including a generall horizontally disposed supporting structure having an opening therein within which is received a member having a lateral rim flange overlying a channel on the edge of said structure defining said opening, and means for retaining said rim flange against upward displacement relative to said structure including a releasable flange member in said channel, a gripping member permanently secured with said member and extending downwardly from said member vinto said channel and having a portion retainingly engaged with said rim flange and another portion grippingly engaging said flange member, and means retaining said flange member against displacement from said channel.

9. In a construction including a generally horizontally disposed supporting structure having an opening therein within which is received a member having a lateral rim flange overlying a channel on the edge of said structure defining said opening, and means for retaining said rim flange against upward displacement relative to said structure including a releasable flange member in said channel, a gripping member permanently 'secured with said member and extending downwardly from said member into said channel and having a portion retainingly engaged with said rim flange and another portion grippingly engaging said flange member, and means retaining said flange member against displacement from said channel, said channel having openings therein through which a tool is engageable against said flange member to effect release of the flange member from said locking means.

10. In a structure including a counter top having an opening and a member received in said opening and having a rim flange disposed laterally outwardly adjacent to the edge of the supporting structure defining said opening, said supporting structure having along said edge anv upwardly opening channel shaped member having opposed spaced vertically extending wall's, one of said walls being disposed contiguous said edge, a vertically extending plate member having spacer flanges along its upper and lower margins engaging said one wall, a releasably engageable interlock projection extending from said one wall and overlying one of said spacer flanges to hold said flange member against upward displacement but from which the plate member is releasable by suitable manipulation, and a member engaging said rim flange and having a portion projecting downwardly into said channel and provided with a lower end portion backed up against the other of said walls and a generally upwardly and outwardly extending terminal flange portion retainingly engaging at its tip against said flange member and held thereby against upward displacement from said channel until said plate member is released from said projection and displaced from said channel shaped member.

l1. In a structure including a counter top having an opening and a member received in said opening and having a rim flange disposed laterally outwardly adjacent to the edge of the supporting structure defining said opening, said supporting structure having along said edge an upwardly opening channel shaped member having opposed spaced vertically extending walls, one of said walls being disposed contiguous said edge, a vertically extending plate member having spacer flanges along its upper and lower margins engaging said one wall, a releasably engageable interlock projection extending from said one wall and overlying one of said spacer flanges to hold said flange member against upward displacement -but from which the plate member is releasable by suitable manipulation, and a member engaging said rim flange and having a portion projecting downwardly into said channel and provided with a lower end portion backed up against the other of said walls and a generally upwardly and outwardly extending terminal flange portion retainingly engaging at its tip against said flange member and held thereby against upward displacement from said channel, said channel having in the bottom thereof an opening through which a knock-out tool can be inserted against the lower edge of said flange member to drive the same upwardly clear of said projection yfor thereby releasing the retaining structure.

12. In a retaining structure for sinks, a channel-shaped member having a pair of opposed upstanding wall flanges with a web structure therebetween, one of said walls having on its upper margin an out turned gauging flange to seat upon the margin of an opening in a counter top, an anchor plate strip flange seated on edge in said channel on said web structure contiguous said one wall flange, means on said one wall flange normally retaining said anchor plate strip flange against upward displacement but from which said strip flange is deliberately releasable, and means for retaining a sink rim flange against upward displacement comprising a vertically extending resiliently flexible finger flange arranged to extend downwardly in said' channel with a lower marginal portion backed up against the other of said wall flanges and with upwardly and outwardly angled retaining terminal flange thereon having its tip engageable in wedging retaining engagement with said anchor plate strip flange and thereby held against upward displacement until said strip flange is released from said means on said one wall and displaced upwardly.

13. In a retaining structure for sinks, a channel-shaped member having a pair of opposed upstanding wall flanges with a web structure therebetween, one of said walls having on its upper margin an out turned gauging flange to seat upon the margin of an opening in a counter top, an anchor plate strip flange seated on edge in said channel on said web structure contiguous said one Wall flange,

means on said one wall flange normally retaining said anchor plate strip iiange against upward displacement but from which said strip flange is deliberately releasable, and means for retaining a sink rim flange against upward displacement comprising a vertically extending resiliently flexible finger ange arranged to extend downwardly in said channel with a lower marginal portion backed up against the other of said wall ilanges and with upwardly and outwardly angled retaining terminal flange thereon having its tip engageable in wedging retaining engagement with said anchor plate strip flange and thereby held against upward displacement until said strip ange is released from said means on said one wall and displaced upwardly, said other wall ange of the channel strip having the upper terminus thereof turned away from said rst wall flange and providing a lead-in cam surface.

14. In a sink structure including a counter top having an opening therein dened by an edge, a sink having a -bowl depending in said opening and spaced a limited distance therefrom and provided on its upper end with a laterally outwardly extending rim ange seated on the counter top adjacent to said opening, the counter top edge having attached thereto a channel strip opening upwardly, said channel strip having therein opposed surfaces, and a retaining finger strip secured to the underside of said rim iiange and projecting downwardly into said channel, said nger strip having a lower end portion thereof backed up against outermost of said opposed surfaces and having a terminal flange portion projecting angularly upwardly toward and engaging at its upper tip in wedging relation against an innermost of said opposed surfaces and thereby holding the rim flange downwardly against upward displacement from the counter top, said channel strip comprising two parts respectively having said surfaces and provided with lapping flanges with removable securing means securing the flanges together and when removed releasing the flanges and thus enabling separation of said surfaces to release said retaining finger flange terminal.

15. In a retaining structure for sinks, a channel-shaped member including a pair of opposed upstanding wall anges with a web structure therebetween and affording a base for the channel, said member being adapted to be secured with the channel thereof opening upwardly to an if edge defining a counter top sink receiving opening, an anchor plate strip having a longitudinal edge portion to seat on said web and with the strip facing one of said wall flanges in opposing relation, said strip having narrow turned opposite edge flanges both projecting in the same direction and engageable as spacers with said one wall flange, means on said web engageable with the face of said strip opposite to said edge flanges to maintain the strip upright in said channel and adjacent to said one wall, means for retaining a sink against upward displacement relative to said member comprising a generally resiliently ilexible finger Ilange arranged to extend downwardly in said channel in faceto-face engagement with the other of said wall anges and having generally reverse bent oblique retaining terminal ange means thereon having biting tip engagement in wedging retaining relation with said anchor plate strip and thereby thrusting said anchor plate strip edge ilanges against said one wall flange, and means on said one wall flange engageable with one of said edge flanges to restrain the anchor plate strip against upward displacement from the channel by action of said anchor plate strip, a portion of said member having an access opening therein through which a tool is adapted to be applied to said anchor plate strip to dislodge the same with respect to said means on said one wall flange for upward movement of the anchor plate strip and thus upward releasing movement of the linger ange.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNETED STATES PATENTS 1,022,074 Graham Apr. 2, 1912 2,386,231 Lyon Oct. 9, 1945 2,386,240 Lyon Jan. 30, 1945 2,544,705 Lyon Mar. 13, 1951 2,631,896 Lyon Mar. 17, 1953 2,708,779 Tiger May 24, 1955 2,761,188 Bedford Sept. 4, 1956 2,778,032 Meehan Ian. 22, 1957 2,888,684 cenhower .Tune 2, 1959 2,926,959 Lyon Mar. 1, 1960 2,928,694 Lyon Mar. 15, 1960 

1. IN A SINK STRUCTURE INCLUDING A SUPPORTING COUNTER HAVING AN OPENING DEFINED BY A PERIPHERAL WALL AND A SINK MEMBER INCLUDING A BOWL PORTION TELESCOPED IN SAID OPENING AND PROVIDED AT ITS UPPER END WITH AN OUTWARDLY TURNED SUPPORTING FLANGE HAVING AN OUTER MARGINAL PORTION RESTING UPON THE SUPPORTING COUNTER ABOUT SAID OPENING, SAID PERIPHERAL WALL OF THE OPENING HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY STRAIGHT VERTICAL METAL SURFACE, AND SEPARATELY FORMED AND ATTACHED RESILIENT SPRING RETAINING FINGERS CARRIED BY THE SINK MEMBER, SAID RETAINING FINGERS INCLUDING ATTACHMENT LEG PORTIONS SECURED TO THE SINK MEMBER SUBSTANTIALLY SPACED FROM SAID OUTER MARGINAL PORTION OF THE SUPPORTING FLANGE AND THEREBY LEAVING SAID MARGINAL PORTION FREE FOR ENGAGEMENT UPON THE COUNTER, SAID RETAINING FINGERS ALSO HAVING TERMINAL LEGS ANGLED FROM SAID ATTACHMENT LEGS AND LOCATED OPPOSITE SAID VERTICAL METAL SURFACE AND EXTENDING IN INCLINED RELATION UPWARDLY AND HAVING BITING TIPS IN BITING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID METAL SURFACE TO RETAIN THE SINK MEMBER AGAINST UPWARD DISPLACEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID SUPPORTING COUNTER, SAID FINGERS BEING RESILIENTLY FLEXIBLE AND ENABLING BY THEIR INCLINATION FREE DOWNWARD ASSEMBLY MOVEMENT OF THE SINK BOWL INTO THE OPENING BUT BY THEIR BITING TIP ENGAGEMENT WITH THE METAL SURFACE AUTOMATICALLY EFFECTING SAID BITING ENGAGEMENT AGAINST UPWARD DISPLACEMENT OF THE SINK MEMBER AND MAINTAINING SAID OUTER MARGINAL PORTION UNDER RESILIENT TENSION WITH RESPECT TO THE ENGAGED SUPPORTING COUNTER. 